Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced his decision not to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election next month. It means Japan will soon have a new prime minister.
Kishida explained his decision in a news conference on Wednesday.
The prime minister said: “In the up-coming presidential election, it’s necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change. To this end, a transparent and open election, and free and open debate are important. The first easy-to-understand step that indicates that the LDP will change is for me to step back.”
Kishida added that his administration had promoted wage increases and investment to put an end to 30 years of deflation. The government also transformed its energy policy to deal with a significant increase in electricity demand.
He noted that under his tenure the government implemented large-scale measures to deal with the declining birthrate and significantly strengthened Japan’s defense capability.
He said Japan had hosted the G7 Hiroshima summit based on strong Japan-US relations, and has led discussions toward cooperation in the increasingly divided international community, and conducting multifaceted diplomacy.
Kishida said, ”I am proud that my administration was able to produce such major achievements.”
Kishida said the only thing still remaining is the matter of his responsibility as LDP leader regarding politics and money. He said, “I don’t have any hesitation in taking responsibility as the head of the party for the serious situation caused by lawmakers belonging to it”.
The prime minister said that he had decided to do so when the incident first occurred. Kishida said, “I want to take responsibility by stepping down at a time when the diplomatic schedule has wound down for the time being”.
Kishida declined to comment when asked by reporters who he supports to succeed him in the party’s presidential election.
His announcement follows a political funding scandal involving factions within the LDP. Kishida has worked to regain public trust in politics by trying to reform the party.
He sought the dissolution of its factions and punished lawmakers linked to the scandal. Kishida also revised the political funds control law.
But his reforms did not stem growing public criticism of the government. Recent opinion polls show that approval ratings for Kishida’s Cabinet are low.
There is increasing concern within the LDP that the party will struggle in the next Lower House election.
Kishida assumed the premiership in October 2021. He will become the eight longest-serving Prime Minister in Japan’s post-war period.
Japanese lawmakers have reacted to Kishida’s decision.
One senior LDP member told NHK that they repeatedly tried to persuade Kishida to run in the election. The person believes it is irresponsible to step down as prime minister while leaving many issues unresolved.
The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party’s Diet affairs chief Azumi Jun said he was surprised at Kishida’s decision. He said the prime minister may have finally determined that he cannot win the public’s understanding because of the political funding scandal. He said the political landscape in Japan is now uncertain.